Welcome to the College of the Desert. The college was founded in 1958 and opened its doors for the first time in September 1962. As a two-year college, the College offers transfer students an affordable option for starting college and transferring to a four-year institution.

Your admission to College of the Desert is your ticket to pathways, classes, support services, and a community that can change the trajectory of your life. We are excited to serve as your launching point into a bright future.

All new students will receive an email from College of the Desert within three business days of applying . This email will include your COD ID Number, MyCOD email and Self-Service log-in along with your default password to log into your student accounts.

For students who are new to College of the Desert (COD), coming back to COD, or transferring from another college, the Admissions & Records office is here to navigate you through all your enrollment questions and needs.

Can I earn college credit without taking classes at COD? What programs and services are available for students? What learning opportunities are available for students?

College of the Desert (COD) is a public community college in Palm Desert, California. COD enrolls about 12,500 students, of which around one third attend college full-time. It serves the Coachella Valley of Riverside County. The college is federally recognized as a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), receiving Title V grants.

Early College: Free College for High School Students. Students in grades K-12 may enroll at College of the Desert (COD) to pursue advanced scholastic or vocational education [Education Code 48800(a)].

College of the Desert is one of over 115 community colleges in California and a vital part of the world’s largest system of higher education. The governing body of College of the Desert is the Desert Community College District, which has five elected members on its Board of Trustees and a Student Trustee elected by the Student Body.

College of the Desert offers Associate Degrees to assist students in transferring to bachelor’s degree-granting institutions and Associate Degrees for Career & Technical Education to prepare students locally for the workforce.

Oct 31, 2024 · Seven candidates are vying for three seats on the board of trustees for College of the Desert on Nov. 5. The other two seats in the five-member board will be up for election in 2026. The Desert Sun asked candidates running for a seat on COD's board in the general election to share their plans, positions and priorities in a questionnaire ...